London Lite Friday, 13 November 2009 53 Why prop Duncan is desperate to be Bell of the ball VETERAN Bath prop Duncan Bell will finally feel able to consider his career a success after he locks horns with Argentina at Twickenham tomorrow. Bells last England start came way back in 2005, since when he has overcome a career-threatening injury. The 35-year-old may have played top-flight rugby for well over a decade and won two England caps but Bell only saw himself as the nearly-man. Even the memories of his third England appearance against Australia last weekend will forever be tainted by the penalty he conceded at his first scrum, giving the Wallabies the lead. only a failure to convert opportunities cost them. I thought we performed well but we turned over too much ball and just didnt capitalise on the chances that we created, he said. We set up situations where we had four players on three, and three on two, but did not take advantage, which was very disappointing. This week weve been working on being more precise in our play. Up for it: Ugo Monye is prepared to face Argentina tomorrow BY HARRY LANE But Bell is determined for all that to change tomorrow when he tackles the worlds strongest scrummaging team. I am acutely aware I am here because of injuries but I have to go in with the mindset of not being a stop-gap, said Bell. I was out for over a year and it is a big achievement just getting back. It would have been so frustrating to have had to retire then. I would have always had that thing in the back of my mind saying I played for England but I wouldnt necessarily call my career a success. People would die for two caps but I would never have seen it as a success so to play in these games is really important for me. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are all big teams but as a prop you want to play against Argentina because they are regarded throughout the world as the best scrummaging outfit. No clangers this time: Duncan Bell Dodging the flak: London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson will become Jonny Wilkinsons 10th half-back partner at Twickenham
index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html32.html33.html34.html35.html36.html37.html38.html39.html40.html41.html42.html43.html44.html45.html46.html47.html48.html49.html50.html51.html52.html53.html54.html55.html56.html57.html58.html59.html60.html61.html62.html63.html